Eric Eisner’s tribute to Blues super fan Basher

POMPEY director Eric

Eisner has made an emotional tribute to ‘friend’ Basher Benfield – and donated £500 to his grieving family.

Blues fanatic Benfield passed away at QA Hospital on Sunday evening after suffering from ill health for a number of years.

A hugely popular and well-known figure, in recent times he served as chairman of the Portsmouth Disabled Supporters’ Association and attended the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference. Through his work representing fans, Benfield befriended Eisner, a Pompey board member and director of owners Tornante.

On Monday evening, following the 56-year-old’s passing, Eisner posted a touching tweet paying his respects to the late Blues supporter. He wrote: ‘This is really sad news. Basher was a fantastic gentleman who was a true Pompey fan and loved the club as much as anyone could.

‘He was an encyclopedia of football knowledge. It was an honor to know him and call him a friend. Sad sad news’.

What’s more, with friend Jodie Spill having set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Benfield’s funeral and aid his family, Eisner contributed £500. That has enabled the target of £1,000 to be smashed, within 24 hours of the account’s creation.

More than £1,200 has been raised by Pompey supporters, which will be used to help his family with financial challenges ahead.

Eric Eisner, son of

Pompey chairman Michael, is presently in Los Angeles and has been unable to visit Fratton Park since lockdown was introduced in March.

Meanwhile, a number of fans are calling for a minute’s silence in tribute to Benfield ahead of Saturday’s game against Doncaster at Fratton Park.

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